Agribusiness & MSME Development and Corporate Business Expansion

Friends Consult is a leading agribusiness and SME development consulting firm in Uganda, with over 25 years of experience supporting small and medium enterprises, agricultural businesses and rural entrepreneurs to grow, professionalise and access markets and finance.

Agriculture accounts for a significant share of Uganda’s GDP and employs the majority of the population. Unlocking the productivity and commercial potential of Uganda’s agribusinesses and SMEs is central to inclusive economic growth — and it is central to what we do.

Our Agribusiness & SME Development Services

Business Development Services (BDS)

We provide direct business development services to SMEs and agribusinesses — covering business planning, financial management, market access, operational efficiency and product quality improvement. We have delivered BDS programmes funded by aBi Finance, GIZ and other donors across Uganda.

Agricultural Value Chain Development

We conduct value chain analyses and design value chain development programmes for key Ugandan commodities — including coffee, maize, sesame, beans, sorghum and dairy. We identify constraints, map actors, and design targeted interventions that improve producer incomes and supply chain efficiency.

Agribusiness Finance Advisory

We help agricultural businesses and farmers access the finance they need to invest, grow and manage risk. This includes financial readiness advisory, business plan development, loan application support and facilitation of linkages with financial institutions offering agricultural lending products.

SME Capacity Building

We deliver structured capacity building programmes for SMEs, covering financial literacy, record keeping, marketing, human resource management and governance. These programmes have been delivered under Skills Development Facility (SDF), BASP and other donor-funded initiatives.

Market Linkages & Private Sector Partnerships

We facilitate market linkages between agribusinesses, input suppliers, off-takers and financial institutions — creating commercial relationships that increase market access and reduce business risk for SMEs.

Rural Enterprise Development

We design and implement rural enterprise development programmes targeting smallholder farmers, women’s groups and youth — supporting the development of income-generating activities, savings groups and market access in rural Uganda.

Our Track Record

Friends Consult has delivered agribusiness and SME development assignments for aBi Finance, GIZ Uganda (PRUDEV), JICA, USAID, the Skills Development Facility and multiple private sector clients. We have worked in over 20 districts across Uganda. Notable case studies include Hope Coffee (investment readiness), Hatches Limited (BDS-supported growth) and multiple PROFIRA programme beneficiaries.

Core Focus Areas

• MSME Capacity Needs Assessment and Building
• Institutional Capacity Assessment and Strengthening
• Entrepreneurship and Other Skills Training
• Business Incubation
• Transaction Advisory Services
• Access to Finance / Investor Matchmaking
• Feasibility Studies and Strategic Planning
• Market Research
• Review, Refinement and Development of Policies, Systems and Manuals

Ready to grow your agribusiness or SME? Contact Friends Consult